More
about alternative medicines...
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 Overview
Herbal
therapy accompanies all healing systems, which includes medicine
and forms of alternative therapies as well. However, you don't really
need to go to a doctor or a licensed practitioner in order to obtain
the herbs. They can be found in health food stores and even nurseries
or you can even grow them yourself. Every culture in the world has
relied on plants and herbs to treat illness. The Sumerians took
herbal therapies as early as 4000 BC, one thousand years before
Chinese herbs were first used. By 3000 BC, the Chinese were using
over one thousand medicinal herbs. North America is divided at the
U.S. and Canadian border over where to classify herbs. Alternative
medicine practitioners argue that pharmaceutical companies won't
fund research into herbal therapies because these remedies are natural
and, hence, cannot be patented. In the United States these herbal
remedies are usually classified as either food, food additives,
or dietary supplements. Many of the herbs are also sold in grocery
stores, health food stores or even some pharmacies. Those that cannot
be found in pharmacies can be found in health food stores or Chinese
herb stores.
Holistic
Therapist
Many
holistic therapists have backgrounds both in Western medicine and
Alternative Medicine. These therapists have integrated at least
one type of Alternative Treatments, such as acupuncture into their
medical practice. Most holistic therapists would see patients as
a partner and communicate fully to discuss various natural approaches
to treatments.
The
holistic doctor offers the perfect solution for patients who want
to benefit from both the technological advances of Western medicine
and the preventive, natural approach advocated by complementary
modalities.
Meeting
with a holistic doctor will involve the two of you discussing
in-depth your medical history and treatment options. Diagnostic
tests (blood-pressure, blood work, urinalysis) may be required
to check your health. Your initial visit could last for more than
an hour since this is your first opportunity to establish a working
relationship.
In
the case of holistic medicine, physician and patient work as a
team. You can discuss the extent to which you're willing to try
the natural, non-drug alternative therapies and at what point
you wish to have access to prescription drugs.
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